[Cyclefrance]

Time to add other esential info:

1. We already have (for eight years) a self-minded burman cat called Calvin (so named after Calvin and Hobbs cartoon by son following Florida expedition some years back) and being one of two offspring (we kept Calvin, while Hobbs went to a friend) produced by mother Vialli (passed away last year) - mother cat's name also provided by son in response to his mother's request for a 'nice name' (my son is a Chelsea supporter and Vialli happend to be the captain at the time - my wife/his mother had no idea...). Calvin's nose is rather out of joint as a result of arrival of the two new kittens (Milly and Molly).

2. We also have a dog, Oscar (photo somewhere on this site) who is really laid back about kittens' arrival - but does occasionally emit the odd sigh of discontent as they leap over his body for the umpteenth time in 'continuous chase' mode. Calvin and Oscar can be seen conferring on present situation and regularly station themselves away from kittenic chaos.

3. The kittens would never be here but for same son mentioned above who decided whilst living in London flat (now back home - another story) that he wanted a kitten. Mother/wife intervened (why?) and convinced him that he needed two kittens not one (one would be so lonely... logical?) and promptly found him two. Then became involved in securing toys, food, sleeping Baskets, etc, etc. Culminated in son arriving one Saturday morning from London, wife leaving with him in car at 11.00 am with kittens and accoutrements, returning at 3.30 pm, receiving phone call from son at 4.30 pm claiming to be too allergic to kittens (constanly sneezing plus red blotches everywhere) that could not keep them, we both leaving for his flat at 6.00 pm and getting back home at 9.30 pm with said kittens (exactly the Saturday I had planned to have, naturally).

Luckily son has certain talents (may reveal some later) and attributes that ensure his ongoing safety and forgiveness for such incidents, but we now have kittens we never intended and that seem to be of the type that some might insist emanate from the gates of Hades (apart from the time they curl up on your lap and roll over as though butter would not melt in their collective mouths). Understand the breed concerned usually live to a ripe old age as well....

Pictures may follow for all of you who like to go: 'awwww, ain't they cute!' provided that you reveal yourselves to exist first.